ALTI Expo 2022 and the Return of the ALMA Awards, June 5–6
ALTI Expo 2022, the conference and showcase promoted by the Audio & Loudspeaker Technologies International (ALTI) Association is right around the corner, set for June 5–6 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. As planned, it will take place a few days before the InfoComm 2022 show, which takes place June 8—10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center - and offers an education schedule starting June 4—10. Don't miss the great technical presentations and quality networking with professionals in the loudspeaker industry and the related signal chain.
THX Licenses VisiSonics 3D Immersive Audio Tools and Personalization Solutions
THX has licensed certain 3D audio and personalization technologies from VisiSonics, the 3D spatial audio and acoustic environment optimization technology company, and is incorporating them into its products. VisiSonics technologies will be utilized in THX Spatial Audio tools for game developers and music producers, and advance THX audio personalization for headset manufacturers. VisiSonics technology is also expected to be a part of anticipated THX offerings in the emerging market of hearable technology.
Innovative Speaker Drivers and Microspeakers in Voice Coil May 2022
In this month’s Voice Coil Focus, Mike Klasco writes about Innovative Speaker Drivers, and there is an updated Microspeaker Vendor Directory for 2022, with additional subdirectories on MEMS speaker transducers and Haptic Actuator devices for mobile devices. On this month’s Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes two full-range woofers: the E180HE-44 from the Dayton Audio Epique home audio line-up, and the Faital Pro 2FE24 2.5” small woofer targeting pro audio applications.
BassBoss Announces SSP215-MKII Double 15" Low-Profile Active Subwoofer
Because the demand for bass is often in conflict with the demand for space, and in general a subwoofer’s size is proportional to its deep-bass output, BassBoss Loudspeakers released the SSP215-MKII Low-Profile Subwoofer. The Los Angeles-based company describes this new model as a powerful subwoofer with a small frontal dimension of only 17.5". With an output that matches or beats most double 18s, the design allows multiple placement options for expansive bass in a constricted space.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Enters Strategic Partnership With The Home Technology Association (HTA)
Connecting residential design, construction and technology professionals, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently announced a partnership with the Home Technology Association (HTA), in addition to its participation in CEDIA Expo. The NKBA represents nearly 50,000 industry members, which will gain access to HTA’s library of educational resources. In return, NKBA will develop collaborative opportunities for design professionals and HTA-certified integrators.
Avid Introduces New Pro Tools Subscription-Only Options for Music Creators and Studios
Avid announced that its leading audio production software Pro Tools is now available to every segment of the music industry with three subscription-only offerings starting at $9.99/month: Pro Tools Artist for aspiring music creators, Pro Tools Studio for serious audio engineers and music producers, and Pro Tools Flex, a subscription bundle for professional audio post and music facilities. These products build on the current Pro Tools product lineup with significant new capabilities and content, including new virtual instruments and strategic partner solutions.
Bosch Sensortec Acquires MEMS Microspeaker Innovator Arioso Systems
Bosch Sensortec announced the acquisition of Arioso Systems, the Fraunhofer IPMS spin-off company that developed its own innovative sound transducer principle for miniaturized MEMS microspeakers based on the patented Nanoscopic Electrostatic Drive (NED) principle. With this acquisition Bosch expands from MEMS microphones to the attractive market segment of silicon microspeakers, soon to be at the core of new generation true wireless hearables.
SoundHound Announces Completion of Merger with Archimedes and Nasdaq Listing
SoundHound AI, Inc., the voice AI technology pioneer, announced the completion of the previously announced business combination between SoundHound Inc. and Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co., a special purpose acquisition company. The combined company is called SoundHound AI, Inc. and will begin trading on Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol “SOUN” from April 28, 2022.
MIT Researchers Develop Flexible, Thin-Film Loudspeaker
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an ultra-thin loudspeaker that can turn any rigid surface into an active audio source. To demonstrate the concept, MIT engineers have developed a paper-thin loudspeaker, which was now presented in public, pitching a straightforward fabrication process that could be introduced to enable the flexible, thin-film solution to be produced at scale.
Steinberg Releases Nuendo 12 with Binaural Renderer for Dolby Atmos and Headphones Match Plug-in
Steinberg released a new version of Nuendo, the company’s most complete DAW software, offering advanced features that traditionally focus on post-production for film, TV, game audio and now also immersive sound production. Among many powerful features serving those core applications, the new version of Nuendo adds headphone’s frequency response matching and emulation, together with Dolby Atmos rendering for headphone monitoring.